HOW CAN YOU TELL YOU HAVE COURAGE?

Leon FontaineDevoted

So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord! Psalm 31:24 (NLT)

Courage works similarly to faith—it requires action to show it’s alive. We can sit around declaring we have faith all we want, but James 2:14–18 basically says, “My actions show that I have faith.” 

Choosing courage works the same way. You can’t just say, “Look at me! I’m courageous!” Much like faith, you can tell by someone’s actions whether they have it or not. And here’s something that most people don’t realize: choosing to be courageous in situations draws your attention to God’s strength in your heart. Until you commit to walking out something with faith and courage, fear can keep you paralyzed in the shadows. That’s why the action of stepping out and doing something feels good—because you’re functioning in courage. 

It reminds me of the first terrible call I attended as a paramedic. A van full of teenagers had rolled end over end and landed upside down in a muddy field in the middle of the night. We were the first on scene, and fear pushed against me as I struggled with whether or not I could handle what I was about to deal with. But I swallowed hard and made the decision to crawl into the mess. As I did, the strength and courage came. 

Maybe you aren’t feeling particularly strong or brave as you’re staring at a challenging relationship situation or facing a difficult career decision. Whatever the case, don’t camp out in the shadow of fear. 

Decide to step out in faith and put courage to work. As you do, you’ll discover the strength that only God can provide will empower you and help you walk through each day.